Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone wants to grow. So why is it that as you look at your life, you may not be happy and you feel as though you're not growing? Over the years I've observed those in our discipleship programs seem to struggle with a few common issues. Generally when one of our participants get "stuck," there is an underlying issue in their lives they must confront. Perhaps you'll find one of these issues relevant to your own life.

If you look at the big picture of your life, you've likely come a long way. You've experienced growth and probably have fought to cooperate with God and what He's doing in your life. But at times, you've felt blocked; in your mind's eye, you've seen the gears grind and fail to mesh. You may have wondered, "Is there anything I can do to get back in gear and going again?" It happens to us all - we all get stuck.

Understanding where we're stuck can help us overcome whatever may be in the way. That said, here are five main barriers to growth:

1) Pride/hurt: Past hurts can cause us to shut down parts of our lives. Something inside says "Don't touch me!" And to the world we seem aloof or proud. As long as we allow ourselves to be blocked by this barrier, we never learn humility.

2) Victim Status: We may not be able to control what happens to us but we can control how we respond to it. A culture of victimization has developed in America. If you buy into it, it will keep you from learning responsibility. Your reality will perpetually be externally defined if you believe yourself to be a victim.

3) Distrust/cynicism: God wants to move us to a place of interdependence and covenant. This requires that we learn to trust one another. A cynical or critical spirit is a stiff-arm that keeps people from entering your world and assisting you in the growth process.

4) Independent Spirit: You can't do it on your own. You weren't made to. You were made to be a part of a group and to benefit from their experience by operating in a life-giving authority structure that sees and releases the potential in you. You will never wield authority correctly until you trust those in authority over you.

5) Selfishness: It's not about you. The world owes you nothing and as long as you are out for your own needs, you'll never learn thankfulness and never become the giving person God intends you to be. Your growth can only take place as you seek to give to others more than you receive.